George Snowden facts for kids

George "Shorty" Snowden (born July 4, 1904 – died May 1982) was a famous African American dancer. He lived in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s and 1930s. George and his dance partner, Mattie Purnell, created the Harlem Lindy Hop. They invented this dance during a long dance marathon. This happened at Harlem's Rockland Palace in the summer of 1928. Their new dance came from a "breakaway" move they found by accident.

Many "Lindy Hop" dances appeared across the U.S. after Charles Lindbergh flew across the Atlantic in 1927. These dances were not connected to the Harlem style. The Harlem Lindy Hop was not the very first Lindy Hop. However, it was likely the only one that became popular and lasted for many years.

How the Lindy Hop Got Its Name

George Snowden is sometimes wrongly given credit for naming the 'Lindy Hop'. There is good proof that he helped create the dance. But there is no clear proof that he named it. The name 'Lindy Hop' was first used publicly in September 1928. This was when Snowden was advertised to perform at the Lincoln Theatre in Harlem. It is not known if Snowden or someone else named the dance for the newspaper ad.

Shorty Snowden's Dance Career

After the dance marathon, Snowden became a very popular dancer. He performed at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. He also traveled around the United States. His dance group was the first group of "Savoy Lindy Hoppers." They took the Lindy Hop to many places. They danced in competitions, ballrooms, and night clubs. They even performed in Broadway plays. Some of these plays included Blackbirds (1930) and Singing the Blues (1931). He also appeared in the film After Seben (1929). You can also see him in the film Ask Uncle Sol (1937). In this film, he dances with his most famous partner, Big Bea.

The "Shorty George" is a special dance move in the Lindy Hop. It is named after Snowden. He was a short man. He used his height to make people laugh while dancing. With his partner Big Bea, Snowden often won dance competitions. He was part of several important dance groups. One of these was the Shorty Snowden Dancers. This group is known as the first Lindy Hop dance troupe.

Film Tribute by Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth and Fred Astaire honored Snowden in a famous dance. It was their "Shorty George" number. The music was by Jerome Kern, and the words by Johnny Mercer. They danced while bending down to look shorter. This tribute was in the 1942 film You Were Never Lovelier.